Jerry Clyde Franklin

LUMBERTON—Jerry Clyde Franklin, 86, of Lumberton passed away on May 12, 2025, af ter a brief battle with cancer. Jerr y was born in Por t Arthur on March 18, 1939, to Willie Clyde and Dane Landers Franklin.

He grew up in Port Arthur and often mentioned that his mother was the best mother a boy could have. He called her a true angel; she instilled in him a faith in God and Jesus as his Savior. He said his dad was tough on him but gave him his strong work ethic.

Jerry had two sisters, Charlotte and Judy, who he cherished.

Jerry grew up with a love of all sports, particularly basketball. He attended Port Arthur Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated in 1957. One of his proudest moments in high school was winning a state championship in basketball in 1957.

He attended Sam Houston State University on a basketball scholarship, where he was a four-year starter. He graduated from Sam Houston in May 1961 with a bachelor of science in physical education and married Polly Ann Perry that same summer following graduation.

Jerry and Polly welcomed two sons, Blair Franklin and Scott Franklin in 1963 and 1964, respectively.

Jerry began his teaching and coaching career in 1961 in Houston. He had coaching stints at A&M Consolidated, Sabine, Tomball, Rockdale and Lumberton schools.

He took a 10-year break from teaching and coaching, working as a commodities trader for EF Hutton in Longview.

He returned to coaching in 1979 in Rockdale as the head basketball coach, where he led teams to two consecutive regional finals appearances. Jerry also coached both of his sons during this time at Rockdale which provided many great memories for all.

Jerry loved the outdoors. He spent many hours as a child with his dad and uncle (Curtis) hunting squirrels in the piney woods of east Texas. He also loved to fish, especially with his two sons, Blair and Scott. His happy place was Toledo Bend Reservoir.

He hung up his coaching whistle in 1984 and began his second career as a home builder in the “Greater Triangle” area until 2019. He was known by his clients as a very detailed builder and could always be found on the jobsite with a broom in his hand. He loved a clean jobsite!

One of Jerry’s favorite things in life was watching his grandchildren grow up and he enjoyed attending their school and sports activities. He also had the extreme pleasure of recently becoming a great-grandfather.

He retired from homebuilding in 2019 and spent more time with his love, Brenda J. Williams, and their dog, Kacee. He also spent many hours with his sons and family hunting on the Kubiak and Triple J Ranches in Lexington and Llano, respectively.

He loved to dance, eat crawfish at Ju-Ju’s and take day trips on his motorcycle with friends. Jerry was a true and loyal friend to many and will be missed by all.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Willie Clyde Franklin; his mother, Dane Landers Franklin; his sister, Charlotte Wainwright; and his wife, Brenda J. Williams.

He is survived by his sons, Stephen Blair Franklin and wife Kelly Franklin of Dallas, Gregory Scott Franklin and wife Sherry Franklin of Austin; Dallas grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Sam (Montana) Franklin with their children Hayes and Carolina of Dallas, Luke Franklin of Washington, DC, and Jake Franklin of College Station; Austin grandchildren, Jenna (James) Whitehead of Houston, Jace (Claire) Franklin of Austin, and Josh Franklin of Austin; sister Judy (Tommy) Daniels of Conroe; and nieces and nephews Carrie Wainwright Miller, Jace Wainwright, Monty Wainwright, Derik Daniels and Damon Daniels.

A gathering of Mr. Franklin’s family and friends will begin at 11 a.m. with his funeral service at 12-noon Thursday, May 22, at Broussard’s, 1605 N. Major Dr. in Beaumont.

His interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.